The Ford Barn

Sixseven · 11-15-2024, 11:03 AM

I'd like to soften up my ride by replacing the rear springs on my 1950 Merc woodie with the passenger car springs. Has anyone done that? The woodie is not used as it was designed to carry eight passengers plus baggage, but two people and baggage as would happen in a car.

Gene1949 · 11-15-2024, 11:13 AM

First things first I would weigh both ends of the car. If you've got original springs on the car they're probably sacked out beyond redemption. I put progressive rate springs on my car, and I love the way it rides.
If you have a set of original sedan springs they are probably as badly sacked out as the ones on your Merc. I think your only other option is to talk to someone in the spring manufacturing business after you weigh it and go accordingly. I cannot say enough about progressive rate springs but they will not look original

Bob C · 11-15-2024, 11:41 AM

The parts book shows the wagon had an 10 leaf 1350 lb. load
spring. The convertible had an 8 leaf 940 lb. load spring.

wga · 11-16-2024, 10:11 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ref 49 Ford woodie - took my springs apart, cleaned them, had a spring shop check them,
said they re-arched the springs. New bushings, shackles, etc. Also used Bilstein shocks
front and rear. Rides much better than before, Friend had a rear anti sway bar installed,
and it made huge difference.
https://racecardynamics.com/pages/pr...ford~md_custom

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/

11-15-2024, 11:03 AM	#1
Sixseven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 508	woodie with passenger car rear springs I'd like to soften up my ride by replacing the rear springs on my 1950 Merc woodie with the passenger car springs. Has anyone done that? The woodie is not used as it was designed to carry eight passengers plus baggage, but two people and baggage as would happen in a car. __________________ 1940 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Coupe 1939 flathead engine, fully rebuilt 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible 1950 Mercury Woodie

11-15-2024, 11:13 AM	#2
Gene1949 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 457	Re: woodie with passenger car rear springs First things first I would weigh both ends of the car. If you've got original springs on the car they're probably sacked out beyond redemption. I put progressive rate springs on my car, and I love the way it rides. If you have a set of original sedan springs they are probably as badly sacked out as the ones on your Merc. I think your only other option is to talk to someone in the spring manufacturing business after you weigh it and go accordingly. I cannot say enough about progressive rate springs but they will not look original

11-15-2024, 11:41 AM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,359	Re: woodie with passenger car rear springs The parts book shows the wagon had an 10 leaf 1350 lb. load spring. The convertible had an 8 leaf 940 lb. load spring.

11-16-2024, 10:11 AM	#4
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 962	Re: woodie with passenger car rear springs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ref 49 Ford woodie - took my springs apart, cleaned them, had a spring shop check them, said they re-arched the springs. New bushings, shackles, etc. Also used Bilstein shocks front and rear. Rides much better than before, Friend had a rear anti sway bar installed, and it made huge difference. https://racecardynamics.com/pages/pr...ford~md_custom https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.